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Nothing is known about the origin of these sugar cutters. They are made of iron and are decorated with an engraved pattern near the hinge. The spike to protect the user's knuckles is still intact but the catch which held the jaws together is missing. Until the introduction of cube sugar in the second half of the nineteenth century, sugar was only available in large lumps or cones and the cutters were used for cutting off smaller pieces.

1 pair of sugar cutters: metal (wrought iron); good condition

MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'Nothing is known of the origin of these sugar cutters. They are made of iron and a pattern is engraved at the point where the jaws hinge. The catch which should hold together the ends of the handles is missing. The cutters measure 9 inches in length and there is a spike 1.25 inches long on the outer surface of one handle.', MERL 'Catalogue index' card [51/543] – 'Sugar cutters were used before the introduction of cube sugar in the second half of the nineteenth century to break up loaf sugar into pieces suitable for table use. The loaf was a circular cone about 14 inches at the base by 36 inches in height. // Lindsay (Iron and Brass Implements of the English House) says, “These were made on the principle of pliers, the jaws being almost circular and having a sharp blade at the end of each, they could be manipulated by one hand, as the jaws were forced open by a spring upon unfastening a catch at the end of the handles. To prevent the knuckles coming into violent contact with the table, a spike or distance piece was attached to the outside of one handle”.'